Amazon's Category Problem Is GETTING WORSE | Self-Publishing News (March 19, 2026)

Amazon's latest updates are raising concerns for self-published authors, as hundreds of new KDP categories may actually be hurting book discoverability instead of helping it. In this Self-Publishing News update, we break down the growing issue of ghost categories, along with what authors can do to stay visible. We also cover Amazon's push into AI-powered ads, new metadata guidance from Barnes & Noble Press, and a cover design case study from CraveBooks with surprising results.

• Publisher Rocket - https://DaleLinks.com/Rocket (affiliate link) 
• Novel Report - https://DaleLinks.com/NovelReport (affiliate link) 
  • Use code GETMYREPORT for $20 off - Amazon Advertising - https://advertising.amazon.com
• Barnes & Noble Press: 7 Steps to Spring Clean Your Book Metadata! - https://press.barnesandnoble.com/bnpress-blog/spring-clean-your-book-metadata/
• CraveBooks - https://DaleLinks.com/CraveBooks (affiliate link) 
• CraveBooks Marketing Hub (on Discord) - https://discord.gg/AYYbKKWGDJ
• The Alliance of Independent Authors - https://DaleLinks.com/ALLi (affiliate link) 
• ALLi: The Indie Author Bookstore - https://bookstore.allianceindependentauthors.org/
• My ALLi Author Page - https://bookstore.allianceindependentauthors.org/author/dale-l-roberts

Rapid Fire News Flash

• Writer Beware: Deadline Approaching to File a Claim in the Anthropic Settlement - https://writerbeware.blog/2026/03/13/deadline-approaching-to-file-a-claim-in-the-anthropic-settlement/
• Authors Guild: From Manuscript to Marketplace: WE DESERVE TO HEAL - https://authorsguild.org/event/from-manuscript-to-marketplace-we-deserve-to-heal/
• Book Brush - https://BookBrush.com
  • Platinum members: Contact Book Brush about the Level Up Your Author Business webinar with Seth Norris & Mel Jolly 
• Reader Views Book Awards - https://readerviews.com/literaryawards/winners/sponsored/
• Outstanding Creator Awards 2025 Clash of Champions - https://www.outstandingcreator.com/winners--2025-clash-of-champions.html 
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- Dale L. Roberts